WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him.’  

Hebrews 12:5

In the preceding verse, the author of Hebrews reminds us, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin.” This is the ultimate measuring rod for suffering. As difficult as life may get, you are still alive! Jesus literally died in His striving against sin—not His own, but the sin of the world. He successfully resisted Satan and those operating under demonic influence. Today, we have Jesus as our perfect example of endurance. We also have a great cloud of witnesses testifying that they endured hardships by anchoring themselves to God’s promises in the famous “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11.

The Greek word for discipline is paideia, which means the rearing, training, teaching, and education of a child. It does not simply mean negative punishment. Remember, Christians can never be punished for their sins because Jesus already endured that full wrath on the cross. Instead, God lovingly disciplines us as His children to protect us from further wandering, sometimes allowing us to experience the natural consequences of our choices.

The positive focus of paideia is education. Even when personal sin is not the cause, our heavenly Father uses difficulties to train us in godliness. This fatherly education takes four distinct forms. When we experience “bad” things, the Father utilizes His Word to explain our circumstances for our ultimate growth and edification. Second Timothy 3:16 reveals these four purposes: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”

Ethan Kallberg

CLOSE ENOUGH

Is there yet a man in the wicked house, along with treasures of wickedness, and a short measure which is cursed? Can I purify wicked scales and a bag of deceptive weights? 

Micah 6:10-11

There is only one place in America where four states come together. The Four Corners Monument stands at the spot where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah join. I – and thousands of others – have gotten down in spread-eagle fashion over the top of this marker and had our picture taken as we awkwardly posed in four states all at once. I even bought an arrow there that was made by a real native American as a souvenir of the place.

In truth, all I did was make a fool of myself. The marker was placed there in 1875. Since then, improved surveying methods have proved the real four corners to be 1800 feet west of that spot. But the Supreme Court held that the borders marked by the monument will continue to be observed!

This makes me wonder how much other erroneous material I have accepted because of mankind’s warped mathematics, twisted social mores, misunderstood religion and self-idolizing principles.

No doubt, we are all a little off in our estimation of what is absolutely true. May His grace overcome the times of our life when we act on what is “close enough” instead of what is completely true. Someday, His own court will convene, and we will see at last how great His grace and mercy really are!

Davy L. Troxel

WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  

Matthew 5:6

What is it that you really want? Money? Are you thinking that if you had enough money to pay your bills and buy the house that you’ve always wanted and the car that you’ve always wanted then you’ll be happy or blessed? Maybe it’s marriage? Do you think that if you marry the right person then, no matter what kind of problems you have, you’ll be happy? Jesus says that the truly happy people are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Do you?

What hinders a person’s hunger? Sometimes it is sickness. Similarly, in the spiritual realm if you are spiritually sick, then you are not craving God, His word or His people. In the physical realm, we go to the doctor and take medicine. In the spiritual realm, we stay away from the doctor and refuse medicine; go figure. What we need is to see the spiritual doctor (your pastor) and take the spiritual medicine (Bible). It’s the path to spiritual health. Satisfaction with the world can hinder spiritual hunger. Check out Matthew 13:22; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; and 1 John 2:15. Are you so enamored with the pleasures of life and the quest for money that you are shortchanging yourself spiritually? Remember what Jesus said to the woman at the well? “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10). Have you asked Him? Satan can also hinder spiritual hunger. Satan either comes to you as a roaring lion or an angel of light. When he comes as a roaring lion, he threatens to take everything you have. Most laugh and say, “OK, but we don’t have anything.” If that doesn’t work, he comes as an angel of light and promises to give us all kinds of things. If you know what God has said, then you respond, “Unnecessary; I already have everything” (1 Cor. 3:21-23). But some are fooled. Don’t be fooled. Ask the Lord to give you a hunger for righteousness.

Ike Graham

KNOWING ISN’T ENOUGH

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of Yahweh and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and judgment in Israel.

Ezra 7:10

This verse begins by showing us Ezra’s priority – the law of Yahweh. But once that is established, it goes on to give us Ezra’s practice – studying God’s Word so that he could live it and teach it to others. There’s a natural progression here. No one can live something, let alone teach it, unless he first knows it. This means that if you want to have an impact in the lives of others, you must first study God’s Law. Or stated more directly, the only way to be used by God is to first know God and His Word.

But just studying isn’t enough – you must also practice it. This is what James meant when he wrote “What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (2:14) James is saying that your works prove the quality of your studying. The whole purpose of studying is to change behavior. So if studying God’s Word doesn’t lead to a change in your life, one can rightfully question whether you have truly studied God’s Word.

Finally, Ezra wanted to pass along what he had been learning and living. The transformation that God’s Word had brought about in his life was so real that he wanted others to experience it. David felt the same way after receiving forgiveness for his sins. “I will give you insight and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).

Today, think of ways in which God’s Word has changed your life. Find someone and tell them about those wonderful changes.

Philip Moeller

THE OPEN DOOR

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

For generations, the presence of God was a place of holy terror. At Mount Sinai, the people trembled at the foot of the mountain; in the Temple, a thick veil stood as a constant “Keep Out” sign. But Hebrews 10:19-20 delivers world-changing news: the door is no longer locked.

You are invited to enter the Holy Place with absolute confidence. This isn’t a self-help “confidence” built on your performance or your pedigree. It is a boldness bought by the blood of Jesus. Through His torn flesh—the true veil—He inaugurated a “new and living way.” Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices that stayed dead, our Sacrifice rose again, conquering the grave to lead us into everlasting life.

When you approach the Father, you aren’t greeted with a cold stare or a list of your failures. You are welcomed with the same warmth God extends to His own Son. You are the sheep invited to an overflowing table (Psalm 23); you are the prodigal son being fitted for a robe and ring while the Father runs to meet you.

How often have you disqualified yourself? We tell ourselves, “Because I did ______, I can’t talk to God.” But if you have trusted in Christ, that barrier is gone. Jesus is your permanent permission. He is the Door, the Way, and your unrestricted access to the Father’s heart. Today, stop standing at the foot of the mountain in fear. Step through the Door and find pasture for your soul.

Ethan Kallberg

WARRIORS OF PEACE

If possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men…  Romans 12:18

It has been said that within every great doctrine lies a paradox. As I continue to learn more about God, I have become increasingly comfortable with the reality that many truths about Him will never fit inside my little brain. God is infinite, and I am not. Yet much spiritual growth happens when I wrestle with a seeming contradiction and learn to follow Christ faithfully in the tension.

One such tension is the call to be a peaceful warrior.  J. C. Ryle wrote, “In short, war is an immense and incalculable evil, and every praying man should cry night and day, ‘Give peace in our time.’ And yet there is one warfare which is emphatically ‘good,’ and one fight in which there is no evil. That warfare is the Christian warfare. That fight is the fight of the soul.”

The Christian does not delight in conflict, stir up division, or seek to overpower others. We are called to pursue peace, love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and overcome evil with good. At the same time, we must never confuse peace with passivity. Sin must be resisted. Temptation must be fought. Lies must be answered with truth. The flesh must be denied, and the faith must be defended with courage and humility.

In this sense, I am called to constantly war for peace. I fight first within my own heart, asking Christ to conquer pride, fear, bitterness and selfish desire. I fight for peace in my relationships by choosing forgiveness, patience and truth. I fight for the souls of others through prayer, witness and love.

Joe Ensley

THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF SIN

For the lips of a strange woman drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech;

But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two‑edged sword. 

Proverbs 5:3-4

Wouldn’t it be nice if sin wasn’t attractive or appealing? One would think it would be a whole lot easier to resist temptation. But that is not reality. Sin is attractive; our eyes are drawn to it. The question becomes: how do we respond to it, since we are naturally drawn to it in our sinful flesh? 

Part of the answer is in our text for today. Whenever we are tempted by the attractiveness of sin, we must remind ourselves of what that temptation really is. It is a facade. It is a mask pulled over the face to hide the true identity. If we pulled down the fake wall, or peeled off the mask we would discover the ugliest, most repulsive truth, “bitter as wormwood.” We would also see the perilous danger that is inherent with the temptation, “sharp as a two-edged sword.”

The second part of the answer is recorded later in the chapter, “Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well” (v. 15). In other words, focus on the blessings that God has already given you in that area. 

A third response we must engage when we are attracted to sin is to turn our eyes to the Lord and remind ourselves that He is watching and He cares. Paul reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). With God’s strength, pull off the mask of temptations today to reveal the ugly reality of sin, and turn your eyes to the Lord, our only source of strength. 

Joshua Steiner

WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM

The heart of man plans his way, But Yahweh directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Pat and I had the awesome privilege of travelling the lower 48 in a motorhome for six years. It took us a year to acquire the RV, sell our house, and get rid of 47 years of accumulated “stuff.” But a week after closing on the house we turned over the keys, saddled up in the RV, car in tow, and departed from our home of some 30 years.

Pat likes to quilt, so we determined early on that she would make a patch showing one “adventure” that was a special memory for us for each state. That quilt is now hanging on a wall in our apartment where we see it every day. What memories it holds! And we have hundreds of pictures and videos of our travels. Just recently I was watching a dash cam video of our drive through the Redwoods National Park. Our favorite states/places were where the buffalo roam (actually there have never been any buffalo in America—they are bison).

Now the motorhome has been sold, we have settled in to sedentary living again, and I have the privilege of serving as interim pastor in our church. Do we miss travelling? Some aspects, but there is great satisfaction and joy in knowing that you are where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, when He wants you to do it. He made it clear and paved the way when we started the RV adventure, and He made it clear and paved the way when it was time to quit.

Yes, we made some decisions, but God directed our way. It was not only a blessing to us, but also to the people we got to talk to along the way about Him.

Jeffrey Eno

THE MAD SPECTER OF ANTISEMITISM

 So the dragon was enraged with the woman. 

Revelation 12:17

     Middle America was rightly shocked at what seemed like an overnight outburst of extreme anti-Semitism within our own country several years ago. Many thought that the modern, conventional Western World had left this sort of thing behind with the capture of Hitler’s Reich Chancellery in 1945. Perhaps what made this outbreak especially unsettling was the fact that it did not involve the traditionally anticipated actors (neo-Nazis, skinheads, etc.). Instead, it emerged from the ranks of the “liberal,” “tolerant,” and “progressive” circles of the elite, patrician Left!!! Typically, this new brand of “social justice” DSA/Intifada warriors are privileged white kids from prestigious Ivy League schools—ludicrously arrayed in Yasser Arafat-style kufiyas as they chant genocidal slogans (“From the River to the Sea!”). In late 2023, a Harvard Caps-Harris Poll sampled 2,034 registered voters and discovered that amongst 18 to 24-year-olds some

67% of them believe that Jews are an oppressor class (who should be treated as such), while 51% believe that Israel should cease to exist and that its land should be distributed amongst Hamas and the Palestinians. Further, 60% believe that Hamas’ 10/7/23 atrocities were morally justified. Similarly, a Dailymail.com Poll found that 31% of voters aged 18-29 believe that Osama Bin Laden represented a “force for good.”

     Few expressions of hatred are as deranged or nonsensical as anti-Semitism—the fiendish and unhinged scapegoating of a minority that has blessed the entire human race in innumerable ways beyond measure—especially in Messiah (Gen. 12:2-3)! Such inexplicable and irrational hatred is surely diabolical and supernatural in origin!

     Yet, even in these things the Word of God stands vindicated. Israel is at the heart of God’s prophetic plans, and thus Satan rages—as predicted!

Terry L. Reese 

GOD'S WILL INCLUDES DIFFICULTIES

Then Moses had Israel set out from the Red Sea...into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days...and found no water.    Exodus 15:22

God led them by cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. They were exactly where He wanted them, and the water was bitter (Marah). Of course God already knew this. It was a test for them. If the celebration at the Red Sea was Monday, by Thursday they were ready to bail on God. They were miserably grumbling at Moses like he was an idiot.     Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree to throw into the waters, and the waters became sweet (Ex. 15:25). Now there is no known tree that can do this. It was a miracle of God. The believers could understand the Hand of God. The unbelievers parked their unbelief on the supposed property of the tree. It went over their heads, and they settled for an imperfect understanding. At this critical time God asked the people to make a commitment to follow Him (Ex. 15:26). Then they came to Elim, a place of 12 springs and 70 date palms. Isn't it interesting that God had them make their commitment when it was informed by difficulties rather than when they were at the Oasis of Elim? Concluding observations: First, God's will often leads to tight spots and difficulties, but for those who love God, it will work out (Rom. 8:28). Recall Naomi who came back to Bethlehem from Moab (Ruth 1&2). She said "Call me Marah, for life is bitter." She was quite tested to say the least, but saw the Hand of God unfold with Ruth and Boaz. Second, any commitment needs to be informed by potential difficulties. We do this at weddings with vows stating in sickness and in health. Lastly, men are capable of extremely fickle actions. Beware of shallowness. Witnessing many miracles cannot substitute for sincere faith.

Russ Simpson

STIMULATING LOVE

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

To “consider” means to think carefully and intentionally. This is a vital choice; we can either actively seek ways to inspire our church family or tragically ignore this responsibility.

The word “stimulate” shares roots with the sharp reaction one has to sour wine (think of drinking vinegar). Just as the bitter taste of vinegar might “stimulate” someone to spit it out, we aim to spark a reaction—though ours should be one of love. This requires both effort and creativity. We can motivate our brothers and sisters by being godly examples, writing encouraging notes, recognizing their spiritual gifts and challenging them to use them, and even rebuking them.

While individual encouragement is vital, Hebrews 10:25 highlight the necessity of corporate fellowship: “not forsaking our own assembling together.” “Forsaking” implies stopping something that should be constant, like the sun rising. A solar eclipse is novel once in awhile, but if it happened every day, our planet would be in trouble. While an occasional absence from church is understandable, making a habit of missing corporate worship is catastrophic to our spiritual health and that of others in the church. Following Christ is inherently social. It is impossible to keep our Lord’s command to love each other without consistently meeting together. When you are in church each week, you show your love for Jesus and stimulate others to love Him, too.

As you go through your week, can you think of some specific ways to “spur” the people in your church toward love and good deeds? It’s not just the pastor’s job. Think about one specific person in your church that you can stimulate to love and good deeds, and do it!

Ethan Kallberg

GET A LOAD OF THIS

 And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9a

In a previous issue, I shared how my first church was blessed with free pews, and how there was more to it all. Now, in true Paul Harvey style, here is "the rest of the story".

It was the first time that I had ever driven any large truck. Navigating nervously through a narrow construction zone on the east side of Louisville, my wife and I were headed to Buena Vista, Virginia, where some folks were to meet us and load the pews onto the truck. We arrived at the Virginia church at dusk, and no one was there except one man to open the door. He was a midget (there goes our help, loading!), and he had to leave right away (there goes our hope of staying in a motel!). The water and power had been shut off, and if we left to eat, there would be no getting back in again. All at once it became pioneer parish, and it looked like our trip would be a wash-out.

The sun went down, and we worked unscrewing the pews from the floor until the batteries in our flashlights gave out. Moving blankets laid on the pulpit platform became our bed. Two cars outside were either police wondering why a moving van was backed up to an old nursery facility, or else a drug deal was going down. Either way, they left us alone. That night, too, the Lord showed me one reason why I didn't marry a petite 5'2" girl, as I watched my wife swing her end of a 12 foot oak pew up a ramp into a moving van.

It was an adventure to put it mildly. But it got done, thanks to weakness empowered by the infinite grace of God.

Davy L. Troxel

YOUR BIGGEST WEDDING EVER!

For the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.  Revelation 19:7

In Bible days weddings were different from ours today.  First negotiations were made between the two fathers and a dowry or gift of livestock/money to secure the bride was agreed upon.  Next, when the couple was of age there was a public betrothal ceremony where the bride would either accept or reject the groom’s proposal.  If she accepted, the betrothal was as binding as marriage, and each went to their separate homes to spend a year preparing for their actual wedding day.  Finally the groom arrived at the bride’s home at an unannounced late hour to take her and the wedding party to his father’s house where he also lived.  There the marriage union was completed, and a seven day celebration followed.

The New Testament uses this picture of marriage to illustrate an even greater relationship – being united with Jesus Christ in eternal salvation.  Jesus is the heavenly Bridegroom.  We who are born again are called the bride of Christ.  The Bridegroom invaded this planet to pay the spiritual dowry for our lost souls by dying on Calvary’s cross (Romans 5:8).  Only He could pay that price.  After three days He rose again from the dead to prove that He is God and that His sacrifice was sufficient to redeem us.  He is the only way that we can get to the Father’s house of heaven (John 14:6).  However, even though the price for our union has been paid and Jesus longs to be our Savior, there must be the “I do!” on our part.  We must say “Yes!” to Jesus and reject all other unspiritual “suitors” and ways to eternal life.  The offer is available to anyone and everyone who receives Christ as Lord and Savior (John 1:12; 3:16).  The simple truth is if the Bride (us) does not receive the Groom (Christ), this wedding’s over!

Bob Kulp

MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

The KJV translation has “meek” instead of “gentle.” What is “meek?” The world’s viewpoint of meekness is against the biblical viewpoint. The world’s viewpoint is not that of the Lord’s. The world’s concept of meekness is the concept of spinelessness, of subservience, of a man who is effeminate. When people think of the meek man, they think of that universal, submissive husband we used to see on the comic pages: Casper Milquetoast. What a lovely name for a meek man! I think of all of the prototypes of the submissive husband, Casper Milquetoast, the meek man. That’s the idea that the world has of meekness. The world’s Beatitudes are “blessed are the mighty, blessed are the strong, blessed are the colorful, blessed are the radical” and various other types. There is LeRoy DeRoche’s phrase: “Nice guys finish last.” The world’s Beatitudes are contrary to the Beatitudes of the Lord Jesus, and their concept of meekness is not the concept of the Bible. So, what does meekness mean according to God?

This is one of the great Greek ethical words. It referred, in some contexts to a balance between excessive anger and excessive angerlessness, or passivity. In other words, if you can think of an average between the man who blows his top, and the man who is utterly spineless, then that was meek, in some contexts. I think that you could say that righteous indignation was the expression of meekness in that usage. But it also had the sense of humility, so that the meek man was the man who possessed humility—the kind of man who saw himself before God, as he should see himself before God and that led him to humility. The most interesting usage of this word, I think, was the fact that it was reserved for domesticated animals. For example, a horse that had been tamed after having been wild would be called a meek horse. Still powerful, but now under control. It was used of wind in a similar way. Brethren, are you meek, like Jesus?

Ike Graham

UNLIKE ANY OTHER

To you it was shown that you might know that Yahweh, He is God; there is no other besides Him.

Deuteronomy 4:35

God created the starfish with some incredible features. It has no brain and no blood. If it loses an arm it can regrow a new one. It also has two stomachs which it can push outside its body to engulf and digest its prey. Because of this, the starfish stands in a category all by itself.

When studying God we recognize His uniqueness. For example, Scripture states, “There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours” (Psalm 86:8). What this means is that God stands in a category all by Himself. No one can match Him in His goodness, His faithfulness, His truth, His power, His knowledge, His love, His mercy, etc.

Such truth about God has some very practical values for us. First, He is not to be treated as any other so-called gods. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). He is not a good luck charm or a genie. Second, He is to be feared. I’ve often thought of it like this. There are only two categories: Creator and created. Only God fits in the category of Creator. Everything else, including me, fits in the category of created. Because I am part of His creation, I have no right to tell the Creator what is right or wrong. Nebuchadnezzar said it this say, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can strike against His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Daniel 4:35)

Philip Moeller